Prayers used on Christmas Day

we thank you today for the amazing reality that the child in the manger is YOU – the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Thank you for entering into our world as one of us, to show us you are real and to show us your love! And thank you that one day there will be a whole new world where peace and justice reign! Thank you for inviting us into relationship with you now so that we can experience now some of that peace which is yet to come. Thank you, heavenly Father, for the depth of your love for us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gracious Lord,

thank you that through Jesus’ death and resurrection, all that we’ve mucked up can be forgiven, and the mess we’ve made of our lives, cleaned up. Help us this Christmas to have this big picture of who Jesus us and what he came to do. Help is to turn away from a life WITHOUT him, to a life lived FOR him, and help us to discover all the joy of relationship with you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Father, we pray for those doing it tough this Christmas. For people who are can’t be with their families; for those missing someone who has died through the year; for people living in poverty or places plagued by war. We pray that they may know something of your love and presence with them, and that the good news of Jesus will be proclaimed right around the world, to bring hope and peace to many, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Finally Lord, we pray that more and more people will know that you turned up here in the person of Jesus. We pray that as people realise that, they would have a big view of Christmas and come to know you better. Thank you that you came to offer the free gift of forgiveness and eternal life. Help us to revel this Christmas, in your good gifts to us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.